Medscape's Ask the Experts feature allows you to ask members of a panel of leading experts for advice or information. You also have the opportunity to share your own views and insights by clicking the "Discuss this" link at the top of each response.

• NPs vs PAs: What's the Difference? On the surface they might seem the same, but differences do exist between these advanced practice professionals.
  August 2019
• Does an ARB a Day Keep Dementia at Bay? Multiple studies seem to show a correlation between the use of angiotensin receptor II blockers and memory preservation in patients with hypertension.
  Ask the Pharmacists, July 2019
• Do PDMPs Influence Opioid Drug Overdose Rates? A recent review evaluates the impact of prescription drug monitoring programs on nonfatal and fatal drug overdoses, including some possible unintended consequences.
  Ask the Pharmacists, June 2019
• Perilous Drug Prescribing: One, Two, or Three? A clinician asks about concomitant prescribing of the trio of opioids, benzos, and muscle relaxants.
  April 2019
• OTC Insomnia Supplements: The Latest Evidence Dietary supplements are used by millions of people seeking a good night's sleep, but which ones are safe and effective?
  Ask the Pharmacists, March 2019
• Patient Suicide: Protect the Patient and Yourself After a suicide, families may blame physicians and sue for malpractice. The standard of care starts with risk assessment.
  January 2019
• The Legal Risks of Taking Call A healthcare attorney tells providers what they can do to reduce their liability risk when taking call.
  October 2018
• Yosprala(TM) in At-Risk Patients Requiring Low-Dose Aspirin Do the benefits of Yosprala(TM) therapy outweigh its costs when compared with combination therapy with aspirin and a proton-pump inhibitor taken as individual products?
  Ask the Pharmacists, March 2018
• Can RNs Bolus Propofol? Nurses often titrate deep sedation, but can they push these drugs if ordered to do so?
  Legal and Professional Issues for Nurses, January 2018
• Buprenorphine Prescribing by NPs and PAs Why is it easy for NPs and PAs to prescribe opioids but not buprenorphine to treat opioid-use disorder?
  Legal and Professional Issues for Nurses, December 2017
• Garcinia for Weight Loss: Modest Effect With Safety Caveats Is garcinia a safe and effective dietary supplement for patients hoping to lose weight?
  Ask the Pharmacists, November 2017
• Why Shouldn't Nurses Manage Epidural Infusions? If the anesthesia provider gives the order, can the nurse change the infusion rate or administer a bolus through an epidural catheter?
  Legal and Professional Issues for Nurses, October 2017
• Should Labor and Delivery Nurses Perform Moderate Sedation? A hospital wants its L&D nurses to learn moderate sedation in the rare event that an emergency C-section is performed under local anesthesia.
  Legal and Professional Issues for Nurses, October 2017
• Utah Nurse Arrest: The Legal Questions, Answered Could what happened in Utah happen in your hospital? Here we answer the legal questions and offer ways for nurses and hospitals to review their policies on interactions with law enforcement.
  Legal and Professional Issues for Nurses, September 2017
• Poppy Seed Tea: Beware This Beverage For centuries, poppy seed tea has been used for its narcotic, analgesic, antidiarrheal, or euphoric effects, or as a substitute for opiates. What are the risks associated with this herbal beverage?
  Ask the Pharmacists, March 2017
• Antibiotics and Mental Status Changes In the differential diagnosis of new-onset confusion, don't overlook antibiotics.
  Ask the Pharmacists, January 2017
• Beta-Blockers for Cocaine-Associated Chest Pain While there is a consensus that cocaine causes cardiotoxicity that is multifactorial in nature, is the role of beta-blockers in mitigating its effects any more clear?
  Ask the Pharmacists, November 2016
• Sulfa, Sulfur, Sulfate, Sulfite: Which Causes an Allergy? Learn about the potential for hypersensitivity reactions with sulfa/sulfonamide antimicrobials, and whether cross-reactivity with nonantimicrobials or sulfur-containing compounds should be a concern.
  Ask the Pharmacists, October 2016
• Can RNs Remove PICCs? Should RNs be able to remove PICCs with a written order to do so, and is any special education or preparation required?
  Legal and Professional Issues for Nurses, August 2016
• Documentation for Billing When Supervising a New NP When the employer bills Medicare, you also are responsible for ensuring that services billed under your name are billed appropriately. Learn the rules.
  Legal and Professional Issues for Nurses, July 2016

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